Amalgam fillings, those containing mercury, have been in use for well over a century. Affordable and durable, these fillings were the mainstay of dentistry until fairly recently when concerns over the safety of the mercury arose.

History

Mercury dental fillings have been in use for over 150 years due to the ease of use and relative inexpensiveness.

Pros

Amalgam fillings used to fill large voids, being less expensive than most other options and strong enough to handle the stress of everyday use while seldom needing replacing. For these reasons, they are still an option in dental fillings today.

Cons

The silver coloring of mercury-based fillings causes teeth to look darker, making it less acceptable for front teeth. It also may cause the tooth to be sensitive to heat or cold although this is usually temporary.

Replacements

There are a variety of other options besides amalgam fillings in dentistry today, none of which contain mercury. These include porcelain, glass or resin ionomers, and composites that contain either quartz or glass.

Misconceptions

In recent years there has been a great deal of controversy over the safety of amalgam fillings, however the FDA has declared them safe, keeping them an option for dentists and patients alike.